New alley naming a deserved honor for Papa John
Mathie siblings Dan Mathie, left, John Mathie, Linda Campbell and Marty Grice are joined by Millersburg Mayor Kelly Hoffee in the alley beside Millersburg American Legion Post #192. The alley was recently named Mathie Alley in honor of their father, Papa John Mathie.
Millersburg Mayor Kelly Hoffee’s husband came home from the Millersburg American Legion Post #192 one night and told her that people were complaining about the alley being blocked. Hoffee asked him if it was even a real alley and did it have an official name.
He said he didn’t know, but if it didn’t, it should be named after Papa John Mathie, a man sincerely connected to the club.
Hoffee knew immediately that the idea was a true gem.
She did some research, and the alley wasn’t named. During a recent village meeting, Mathie Alley was officially born.
“With his incredible life here in Millersburg, his time serving in the Korean War and the legacy he left behind, it was just perfect,” Hoffee said. “He meant so much to all of us, and he was dad to everyone, especially all of the veterans.”
Papa John passed away Dec. 5, 2024, and since the moment he was born Nov. 3, 1932, he lived a life that seemed to touch people’s lives in many meaningful ways. He was married to Betty Mathie for 64 years, and Betty was also an integral part of the Eagles club, serving as the manager there.
After the renaming of Mathie Alley, Mathie siblings Dan Mathie, John Mathie, Linda Campbell and Marty Grice gathered together with Hoffee in the Papa John Room at the Millersburg American Legion Post #192 to share the stories of the impact their father had on not only the Eagles members and the Millersburg community but on Holmes County and beyond.
Dan Mathie said many years ago he was interviewed for a story and was asked what the most important thing anyone had ever told him.
He replied that his father told him to work hard, play hard and take responsibility.
The thing is, Papa John never said that.
“He never really said that, but I learned it through example by watching him and how he lived what was an amazing life,” Dan Mathie said.
Driving a coal truck and doing construction work in his early adult years prepared him for his stint in the U.S. Army, where he served two years.
Upon returning from Germany, he went to work for Steimel Village Motors as a mechanic before eventually taking over as owner of Mathie’s Marathon, a gas station owned and operated by his father that was located where the Millersburg village offices are now.
After two decades, he sold the gas station and went to work for Holmes Oil. He eventually retired, but sitting idle never suited Papa John, so he went back to work, this time at Moore’s Lawn & Garden, where he hauled mowers and equipment.
Even in his advancing years, he continued to work, his final employment being as a courier for First Knox National Bank, working until he was 88.
Finally, his last job was his most important one, taking care of his wife, who had become ill and was unable to live at home by herself. She passed away in 2022, having managed the Legion canteen for nearly a quarter century.
For decades, Mathie earned the nickname Papa John, a moniker created out of love and respect from anyone who knew him.
The renaming of the alley in his honor was something that touched the hearts of each of the children.
“Dad was a very humble man, and he wasn’t one to want any recognition for anything,” Campbell said. “This is really meaningful to all of us in so many ways, and we are so grateful to Kelly and the village for doing this.”
The four children talked about memories that came from childhood of a man filled with compassion, who loved to hunt and was committed to Millersburg.
The memories flowed as the stories brought laughter and tears of joy, as well as several funny, embarrassing stories, the kind siblings share when they truly love one another.
One rarity Grice shared was that Papa John was born in his longtime home and passed away there. She said that in between, her father lived a life worth respecting and admiring.
“He loved Millersburg,” Grice said. “He loved being part of the community, and he loved the people.”
As for his role in Millersburg American Legion Post #192, he was as legendary there as he was in the community.
“It’s amazing how much people here respected dad,” Campbell said. “We still hear so many stories about dad, and that shows how much respect he had.”
That love of community has been embedded in his children, who chose to remain rooted in the area.
“Dad always said everything we could possibly need is right here in Holmes County. What else could you ever want?” Dan Mathie said.
John Mathie spoke about the sense of heritage and how important that is to the entire family.
Most importantly, Papa John and Mama Betty’s desire to give back to the community and others has rubbed off on the children.
“They instilled a sense of community and a desire to live here,” Campbell said. “They definitely left a great legacy of family values.”
Now that legacy has a new name to add — Mathie Alley.